Larry Hogan, former Republican Governor of Maryland, has expressed support for codifying into federal law precedents set in Roe v. Wade to guarantee a national right to abortion. Hogan, who is currently a contender in the Maryland Senate race, stated that he would back codification of Roe v. Wade if it came up in the Senate. He emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of women to make their own reproductive health decisions and stated that no one should come between a woman and her doctor.
In the past, Hogan had been noncommittal about backing legislation to codify Roe v. Wade. As governor of Maryland, he maintained a middle-ground position on the issue, stating that while he personally opposed abortion, he would not try to upend state law on the matter. Hogan had vetoed legislation in Maryland that sought to expand abortion by loosening restrictions on who could perform the procedure and requiring insurance plans to cover it. However, after the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, Hogan vowed to safeguard access to abortion in Maryland.
If Hogan were to win Maryland’s open Senate seat, he would join at least two other Republicans in the Senate who openly describe themselves as “pro-choice” – Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski. Hogan has emphasized that his support for women’s rights to make their own decisions aligns with the definition of being pro-choice. Historically, Maryland’s Senate seats have been held by Democrats, with Hogan being the first Republican governor in decades to secure the GOP nomination for the Senate race.
Throughout his time as governor, Hogan cultivated a brand for moderation and was known for his criticism of former President Donald Trump. Despite being one of the most popular governors in the country, Democrats have begun attacking him on the abortion issue, seeing it as a political weakness. Hogan’s opponent, Angela Alsobrooks, has made clear her intention to hammer him on abortion as she vies to become the first black female senator from Maryland.
As the 2024 election cycle approaches, Democrats are facing a tough Senate map, with 23 seats to defend compared to the Republicans’ 11 seats. With the slim 51 to 49 split in the Senate, Republicans only need to flip two seats to regain control without the tiebreaker vote. Hogan, who won reelection as Maryland governor in the 2018 blue wave year, is attempting to appeal to a broader base by touting support from Democrats and flipping the deep blue Senate seat in Maryland.
Larry Hogan is not alone in his move towards a more left-leaning stance on abortion within the Republican party. As Republicans grapple with polling data that shows the issue to be a challenge in the upcoming election, Hogan’s support for codifying Roe v. Wade and protecting access to abortion in Maryland reflects a larger trend within the party. Even former President Trump, known for his conservative viewpoints, has recently opposed federal legislation to restrict abortion, calling for the issue to be left to the states.
